To what extent do you mod your guitars?

Chicago John · 08-01-2010, 06:15 PM

1. I leave my guitars bone stock
2. I only do reversible mods
3. I modify the snot out of guitars without regard to going back to stock
4. It depends- some don't get touched

kip0909 · 08-01-2010, 06:17 PM

I don't modify my guitars, only because i don't have my funds.

I don't think i would do in structural mods, such as extra routing, switches, drilling etc.

But i wouldn't have a problem modding the hardware/electronics

dennistruckdriver · 08-01-2010, 06:19 PM

Just to the extent that suits me.

nicolasrivera · 08-01-2010, 06:20 PM

This thread of mine will give you the kind of mod i do.

Faded refinish Les Paul

marc1kim · 08-01-2010, 06:21 PM

I leave mine stock, I only changed a pick up on my old 79 standard cuz the pick up stopped working.

Chicago John · 08-01-2010, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicolasrivera

This thread of mine will give you the kind of mod i do.

Faded refinish Les Paul

The_Sentry · 08-01-2010, 06:32 PM

I did a lot of mods to my Studio (mostly reversible.) My Gibson LP Custom...I don't know if you would call this a "mod", but I basically stripped the entire guitar, cleaned all the components, slapped it back together. It got new pots and caps, a full refret, new nut and eventually handwound pickups.

My Custom Kauer guitars I won't touch. No need to...

My Epi's? I bought 'em primarily for this very reason.

lp_junkie · 08-01-2010, 06:33 PM

I bend and mold them to my will, so I will modify whatever I need to, they aren't vintage pieces so I don't care if I destroy one in the process (i've done that more than once).

Chicago John · 08-01-2010, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marc1kim

You shoulda added a poll option to your post.

I leave mine stock, I only changed a pick up on my old 79 standard cuz the pick up stopped working.

I think that would count as a repair, not a mod that you went out of your way to make.

Chicago John · 08-01-2010, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Sentry

I did a lot of mods to my Studio (mostly reversible.) My Gibson LP Custom...I don't know if you would call this a "mod", but I basically stripped the entire guitar, cleaned all the components, slapped it back together. It got new pots and caps, a full refret, new nut and eventually handwound pickups.

My Custom Kauer guitars I won't touch. No need to...

My Epi's? I bought 'em primarily for this very reason.

On your Custom, I think the refret is just maintainance, but the new caps and pots sound like mods... BTW, those Kauers are beautiful

toppsseller · 08-01-2010, 06:38 PM

I mod my lower end stuff like my MIM strat. My Gibson's stay bone stock.
If a guitar has generic pickups I will change them out, but if it comes with Seymour Duncan's or Dimarzio's what's the point.

brianbzed · 08-01-2010, 06:43 PM

I change pickups on some. depends if the guitar sounds good with stock pickups. anything collectable-no mods....

AngryHatter · 08-01-2010, 06:52 PM

My SG sounded too generic.
So I swapped pickups and wiring.

My Strat got new springs, a new nut, a spring tree, a blender pot, a smaller tremolo arm and wooden knobs. I like the pickups a lot so they are staying.

My Gretsch with a floating bridge got a new rocker bridge. I like the pickups so they are staying.

I haven't changed tuners as I see no need.

Drew224 · 08-01-2010, 06:55 PM

not to the extent i'd like. haha.

1959burst · 08-01-2010, 06:56 PM

easily reverseable, pickups ,bridge,tuners,nut,tailpiece...........etc

BigB · 08-01-2010, 07:02 PM

There's no "a few mods" selection. I took it to Roman and did a few. Pots/caps, tailpiece, and tuners are still stock.

Torren61 · 08-01-2010, 07:02 PM

I will do anything I feel is necessary to make they guitar play/sound better to me. I'll also do other stuff just to see what happens.

marc1kim · 08-01-2010, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chicago John

I think that would count as a repair, not a mod that you went out of your way to make.

Oh wait! Would straploks count as a mod?

Chicago John · 08-01-2010, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marc1kim

Oh wait! Would straploks count as a mod?

Yes! You went out of your way to change it from stock

The_Sentry · 08-01-2010, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chicago John

On your Custom, I think the refret is just maintainance, but the new caps and pots sound like mods... BTW, those Kauers are beautiful

Thanks!

ehamady6 · 08-01-2010, 07:45 PM

Cosmetics: I replace all gold hardware with chrome, even the Schaller straplocks. I just don't like gold and how it ages.

Performance: I replace the stock toggle switch with a heavier duty Switchcraft switch because I tend to snap off the stock switch when doing the killswitch effect playing the intro to the Tribute version of Crazy Train. I like the sustain generated by locking hardware, so I install a Tonepros locking tailpiece and locking bridge, and locking Grover tuners.

Tone: I install active EMG pickups and electronics. Stock humbuckers just don't have the nuts for the music I like to play.

Skintaster · 08-01-2010, 08:03 PM

With my LPs I shopped around and found ones with the exact features I was looking for... Well, very close anyway... So I probably wouldn't make any major mods to them.

But over the years, I've modded all sorts of guitars depending on preference or need at the time. I've built many from spare parts. Right now I have a pretty nice Ibanez Prestige that I plan to slap an EMG set and a sustainer in.

Gibsonrocknroll · 08-01-2010, 09:28 PM

I changed alot of things on my Les Pauls. Grover Tuners 18:1 ratio, Gibson Historic Truss Rod Cover, Gibson 57 Classic and 57 Classic Plus Pickups with Gibson Historic Pickup Rings, Gibson 500K pots and other goodies that I will not disclose, Tonepros locking bridge and locking aluminum tailpiece, switchcraft toggle switch and input jack, amber top hats with pointers, and amber toggle switch cap.

Krazy Grape · 08-01-2010, 09:34 PM

Nothing past strap-locks and putting 11 on 'em. If I had something like a '60 Les Paul, I probably wouldn't put strap-locks on it, I'll probably just use it as a studio guitar.

kingedb · 08-01-2010, 09:40 PM

I've only done reversible mods. Unless I buy an LP with upgraded electronics that's the first thing I like to mod. The RS treatment!

I never found the need to sand a neck and I personally dislike relicing. I guess my mods will always be reversible. Yeh resale!!

JIM'S GoldTOP · 08-01-2010, 09:41 PM

the biggest mod i ever made to one of my guitar is new pickups

180gROC · 08-01-2010, 09:59 PM

Incessantly

Nicky · 08-01-2010, 10:08 PM

On my LP Supreme, I took off the gold pickup covers and added a poker chip.

caucajun · 08-01-2010, 10:16 PM

only reversable, usually cosmetic mods, like p'up ring color or pickguards.

SkyNet3D · 08-02-2010, 04:48 AM

Mods to my guitars, mostly reversible. But i've modded other peoples guitars, stuff like routing for humbuckers in guitars with single coils.

I have a MIM strat that i've installed a Floyd Rose, but that's the only guitar i do stuff like that to.

View Poll Results: To what extent do you modify your guitars?
I always leave them bone stock	14	8.92%
I only do reversible mods	42	26.75%
I modify the snot out of any guitar if I need to	36	22.93%
It depends- I wouldn't modify certain guitars	65	41.40%
Voters: 157. You may not vote on this poll

08-01-2010, 06:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
Chicago John Bartlett Retrospec Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chicago Posts: 2,347 Thanks: 83 Thanked 24 Times in 14 Posts	To what extent do you mod your guitars? 1. I leave my guitars bone stock 2. I only do reversible mods 3. I modify the snot out of guitars without regard to going back to stock 4. It depends- some don't get touched

08-01-2010, 06:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
dennistruckdriver V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 25,418 Thanks: 365 Thanked 816 Times in 168 Posts	Re: To what extent do you mod your guitars? Just to the extent that suits me. __________________

08-01-2010, 06:20 PM	#4 (permalink)
nicolasrivera Banned Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Honduras Posts: 16,586 Thanks: 2,081 Thanked 900 Times in 238 Posts	Re: To what extent do you mod your guitars? This thread of mine will give you the kind of mod i do. Faded refinish Les Paul

08-01-2010, 06:21 PM	#5 (permalink)
marc1kim Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: South Texas Posts: 3,284 Thanks: 65 Thanked 43 Times in 20 Posts	Re: To what extent do you mod your guitars? I leave mine stock, I only changed a pick up on my old 79 standard cuz the pick up stopped working. 87Standard likes this. __________________ 2011 LP JR w/ noiseless fralin Hughes and Kettner Edition Tube

Today
Les Paul	Sponsored Links __________________ This advertising will not be shown in this way to registered members. Register your free account today and become a member on Les Paul Forums

08-01-2010, 06:32 PM	#7 (permalink)
The_Sentry The Devil's Advocate Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Neverwhere, CA Posts: 25,947 Thanks: 1,089 Thanked 1,451 Times in 308 Posts	Re: To what extent do you mod your guitars? I did a lot of mods to my Studio (mostly reversible.) My Gibson LP Custom...I don't know if you would call this a "mod", but I basically stripped the entire guitar, cleaned all the components, slapped it back together. It got new pots and caps, a full refret, new nut and eventually handwound pickups. My Custom Kauer guitars I won't touch. No need to... My Epi's? I bought 'em primarily for this very reason. __________________ Musical Ventures: Love Knuckle on Reverb Nation! Random Recordings and Videos of Stuff!

08-01-2010, 06:33 PM	#8 (permalink)
lp_junkie Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Southeast Texas Posts: 10,561 Thanks: 66 Thanked 238 Times in 53 Posts	Re: To what extent do you mod your guitars? I bend and mold them to my will, so I will modify whatever I need to, they aren't vintage pieces so I don't care if I destroy one in the process (i've done that more than once). __________________ --------------------------------------------------- Shane Just a guitar bum...........

08-01-2010, 06:38 PM	#11 (permalink)
toppsseller Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Boston Posts: 516 Thanks: 43 Thanked 12 Times in 3 Posts	Re: To what extent do you mod your guitars? I mod my lower end stuff like my MIM strat. My Gibson's stay bone stock. If a guitar has generic pickups I will change them out, but if it comes with Seymour Duncan's or Dimarzio's what's the point.

08-01-2010, 06:43 PM	#12 (permalink)
brianbzed Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 710 Thanks: 10 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	Re: To what extent do you mod your guitars? I change pickups on some. depends if the guitar sounds good with stock pickups. anything collectable-no mods.... __________________ Life is too short to play sh*tty guitars! Les Pauls rule, Pilgrim. Now get that Strat outta here! Gear List: '83 '59 reissue 'Burst' (Leo's) '87 Standard-Alpine White '89 35th Anniv.Custom-3-pu's (Black Beauty) '83 Flying V-Black "Designer Series" '94 PRS Custom Purple 10-top w/birds '84 Fender Strat-humbuckers added '80's BC Rich Warlock bass '78 Fender Musicmaster bass '08 Dean 6-string Banjo '10 Carvin acoustic\electric Boogie MkIIB,Fender Power Chorus,Line 6

08-01-2010, 06:52 PM	#13 (permalink)
AngryHatter Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 12,984 Thanks: 35 Thanked 106 Times in 43 Posts	Re: To what extent do you mod your guitars? My SG sounded too generic. So I swapped pickups and wiring. My Strat got new springs, a new nut, a spring tree, a blender pot, a smaller tremolo arm and wooden knobs. I like the pickups a lot so they are staying. My Gretsch with a floating bridge got a new rocker bridge. I like the pickups so they are staying. I haven't changed tuners as I see no need.

08-01-2010, 06:55 PM	#14 (permalink)
Drew224 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Posts: 14,355 Thanks: 767 Thanked 173 Times in 58 Posts	Re: To what extent do you mod your guitars? not to the extent i'd like. haha.

08-01-2010, 06:56 PM	#15 (permalink)
1959burst Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: in a brown lifton case surrounded by others Posts: 2,071 Thanks: 3 Thanked 16 Times in 8 Posts	Re: To what extent do you mod your guitars? easily reverseable, pickups ,bridge,tuners,nut,tailpiece...........etc Thumpalumpacus likes this. __________________ http://www.myspace.com/greg1959burstwilson http://www.facebook.com/gregory.d.wilson

08-01-2010, 07:02 PM	#16 (permalink)
BigB Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA. Posts: 1,371 Thanks: 9 Thanked 19 Times in 6 Posts	Re: To what extent do you mod your guitars? There's no "a few mods" selection. I took it to Roman and did a few. Pots/caps, tailpiece, and tuners are still stock. __________________ http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/luth...ver-spent.html

08-01-2010, 07:02 PM	#17 (permalink)
Torren61 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: North Bay San Francisco Posts: 8,964 Thanks: 520 Thanked 579 Times in 155 Posts	Re: To what extent do you mod your guitars? I will do anything I feel is necessary to make they guitar play/sound better to me. I'll also do other stuff just to see what happens. LPG likes this. __________________ http://soundcloud.com/torren61/prs-santana-se-demo "There must exist certain words in certain specific order that would explain all of this. I just can’t ever seem to find them." Walter White

08-01-2010, 07:45 PM	#21 (permalink)
ehamady6 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Battle Creek, MI Posts: 3,543 Thanks: 20 Thanked 7 Times in 5 Posts	Re: To what extent do you mod your guitars? Cosmetics: I replace all gold hardware with chrome, even the Schaller straplocks. I just don't like gold and how it ages. Performance: I replace the stock toggle switch with a heavier duty Switchcraft switch because I tend to snap off the stock switch when doing the killswitch effect playing the intro to the Tribute version of Crazy Train. I like the sustain generated by locking hardware, so I install a Tonepros locking tailpiece and locking bridge, and locking Grover tuners. Tone: I install active EMG pickups and electronics. Stock humbuckers just don't have the nuts for the music I like to play. __________________ _________________________

08-01-2010, 08:03 PM	#22 (permalink)
Skintaster Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Austin Texas Posts: 17,631 Thanks: 1,182 Thanked 1,059 Times in 326 Posts	Re: To what extent do you mod your guitars? With my LPs I shopped around and found ones with the exact features I was looking for... Well, very close anyway... So I probably wouldn't make any major mods to them. But over the years, I've modded all sorts of guitars depending on preference or need at the time. I've built many from spare parts. Right now I have a pretty nice Ibanez Prestige that I plan to slap an EMG set and a sustainer in.

08-01-2010, 09:28 PM	#23 (permalink)
Gibsonrocknroll Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Myrtle Beach Posts: 1,163 Thanks: 6 Thanked 47 Times in 8 Posts	Re: To what extent do you mod your guitars? I changed alot of things on my Les Pauls. Grover Tuners 18:1 ratio, Gibson Historic Truss Rod Cover, Gibson 57 Classic and 57 Classic Plus Pickups with Gibson Historic Pickup Rings, Gibson 500K pots and other goodies that I will not disclose, Tonepros locking bridge and locking aluminum tailpiece, switchcraft toggle switch and input jack, amber top hats with pointers, and amber toggle switch cap. __________________ Gibson Les Paul Standard Faded Tobacco Burst Gibson Les Paul Standard Faded Honey Burst Gibson Les Paul Traditional Pro Goldtop/Darkback Gibson EDS-1275 Custom Shop Gibson Les Paul Junior Gibson Melody Maker Gibson SG Standard Danelectro DC-59 Marshall JCM 2000 DSL 100W Marshall JCM 900 Lead 1960A Hiwatt Custom 100W Jimmy Page Marshall JCM 900 Lead 1960A Fender Mustang III

08-01-2010, 09:34 PM	#24 (permalink)
Krazy Grape Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: North Carolina Posts: 170 Thanks: 8 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	Re: To what extent do you mod your guitars? Nothing past strap-locks and putting 11 on 'em. If I had something like a '60 Les Paul, I probably wouldn't put strap-locks on it, I'll probably just use it as a studio guitar. __________________ - James "Sometimes you want to give up the guitar, you'll hate the guitar. But if you stick with it, you're gonna be rewarded." -Jimi Hendrix "Music is not the Olympics. It's not a sport; it's a form of expression. There is no such thing as bad music. There may be music that you personally don't like, but if you don't like it, don't listen to it.." -Eddie Van Halen

08-01-2010, 09:40 PM	#25 (permalink)
kingedb Bartlett Retrospec Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Lansdale, PA Posts: 8,037 Thanks: 330 Thanked 49 Times in 14 Posts	Re: To what extent do you mod your guitars? I've only done reversible mods. Unless I buy an LP with upgraded electronics that's the first thing I like to mod. The RS treatment! I never found the need to sand a neck and I personally dislike relicing. I guess my mods will always be reversible. Yeh resale!!

08-01-2010, 09:41 PM	#26 (permalink)
JIM'S GoldTOP Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 4,127 Thanks: 38 Thanked 22 Times in 13 Posts	Re: To what extent do you mod your guitars? the biggest mod i ever made to one of my guitar is new pickups __________________ 87' Westone Corsair XA-1440 06' Gibson Les Paul Classic

08-01-2010, 09:59 PM	#27 (permalink)
180gROC Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Florin, Ca, Posts: 5,136 Thanks: 230 Thanked 396 Times in 85 Posts	Re: To what extent do you mod your guitars? Incessantly __________________ Shooting portraits in a landscape world...

08-01-2010, 10:16 PM	#29 (permalink)
caucajun Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: way too close to New Orleans! Posts: 102 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: To what extent do you mod your guitars? only reversable, usually cosmetic mods, like p'up ring color or pickguards. __________________ favorite color: plaid favorite vegetable: bacon 2nd favorite sin: gluttony and, yes......it's for sale......make offer.....

08-02-2010, 04:48 AM	#30 (permalink)
SkyNet3D Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 603 Thanks: 5 Thanked 6 Times in 2 Posts	Re: To what extent do you mod your guitars? Mods to my guitars, mostly reversible. But i've modded other peoples guitars, stuff like routing for humbuckers in guitars with single coils. I have a MIM strat that i've installed a Floyd Rose, but that's the only guitar i do stuff like that to.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode